Levenhuk Karma PRO 8x42 Binoculars Review

These are the first Levenhuk binoculars I’ve tried, so can they make a name for themselves in the crowded budget end of the market?

They’re reassuringly solid and wellarmoured, but compact enough to fit the hand well, and build quality is good. The diopter adjustment, on the right barrel, stays in place well and the eyecups twist up and down to four positions. They didn’t always stay in place in the field, though – a little tweak here would make them much more impressive.

The focus wheel is good, too – just over a finger wide, and well textured for extra grip. It moves smoothly if a little stiffly, and takes just over two complete anticlockwise turns from close focus to infinity. I found precise focus pretty easy to fix upon, and a close focus figure of around 2m makes them useful for bug-watchers.

The image produced shows just how far optics have progressed in the last decade. It’s sharp and crisp, with good contrast, and bright enough for most needs, even if it lacks any real ‘wow factor’. It does fall off a little in low light, but no more than you’d expect. Colour is very natural, and although
there was some colour-fringing against very strong light, or while following moving objects, it was rarely if ever distracting.

Field of view (129m@1000m) is good, and the image remains sharp close to the edges.

There’s a rainguard, removable tethered objective lens covers, a so-so strap, and a case, and at well under £100, they make a great option for beginners. They do have flaws, but the image is generally very good, and you certainly won’t break the bank.